Greg Norman joins big names donating money to bushfire relief
Queensland-born Greg Norman has joined a long list of celebrities digging deep to help bushfire relief efforts, saying the tragedy has cut him “to the core”.
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Greg Norman is the latest high-profile celebrity to donate towards Australia’s bushfire crisis, saying his devastated home country is in “desperate need” of support.
The champion golfer pledged US$250,000 ($A362,000) through his Shark Shootout Charities, which was then matched by the US Presidents Cup International Team, led by Captain Ernie Els, and the PGA TOUR for a total of US$500,000 ($A725,000).
The Queensland-born Norman also announced a partnership with the American Australian Association to launch a Bushfire Relief Fund where 100 per cent of the proceeds will go the Australian Red Cross’ bushfire relief efforts.
“Australia is in desperate need of our support and many have turned to me over the past several weeks to find out the best way to help. The message from Australian authorities is clear. What’s needed most during this unprecedented crisis are cash donations, which is why I have co-ordinated with former Ambassador John Berry and the AAA to establish the Bushfire Relief Fund,” Norman said in a statement.
“With the support of my fans, colleagues and business associates, we hope to send a strong signal to our friends in Australia that the international community is there during their time of need. I am optimistic that the community will join our efforts by donating through the Fund.”
Norman is just the latest in a string of high-profile celebrities and sports stars to step up for Australia in a big way.
Last week, Academy Award winner Leonardo DiCaprio donated an incredible $US3 million ($A4.35 million), according to the New York Post.
The Earth Alliance, an environmental organisation that DiCaprio, 45, oversees, launched the Australia Wildfire Fund to help raise money towards relief efforts, the Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood star announced on Instagram.
The generous donation, provided by DiCaprio and his co-chairs, Laurene Powell Jobs and Brian Sheth, was a “commitment to assist critical firefighting efforts in New South Wales, aid local communities most affected by the wildfires, enable wildlife rescue and recovery, and support the long term restoration of unique ecosystem.”
The catastrophic blazes have claimed the lives of at least 25 people and an estimated billion animals.
Aside from DiCaprio, other celebrities have used their platform to raise awareness about the wildfires and have also contributed donations.
Cosmetics mogul Kylie Jenner confirmed she was also donating a million dollars ($A1.45 million) to five different organisations to “cover the animals, the homes … the people and everyone affected.”
DELTA’S BUSHFIRE TRIBUTE A HIT
Meanwhile, Australia’s pop sweetheart Delta Goodrem continues to raise money for bushfire recovery efforts with royalties from her song Let It Rain.
The Voice star wrote the tune on New Year’s Day after being devastated by the catastrophic fires.
When Goodrem shared the piano soaring piano ballad on Instagram, fans urged her to release it, with the singer announcing she would donate her net profits from sales to the bushfire fundraising campaign.
“I have been sent incredible messages asking to release Let It Rain, the song I was inspired to write seeing the devastation from the fires across our country. It’s now available & I’m donating all my proceeds of the song to aid with the bushfire relief,” she posted on her socials.
It catapulted to No. 1 within three hours of Goodrem uploading the song, and currently sits at No. 2.
Fans were encouraged to download the song it in order to raise more money because the proceeds from streaming are considerably lower.
“Amazing! You just sent #letitrain to the top of the @iTunes charts. THANK YOU for all your support with the bushfire relief! Let’s keep it going,” she wrote.
Goodrem will also join the line-up for the Fire Fight Australia benefit concert at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium next month which will also feature Olivia Newton-John, Queen, k.d. lang, Alice Cooper, Hilltop Hoods, John Farnham, Guy Sebastian and Amy Shark.
The event will be hosted by comedian Celeste Barber, whose fundraising efforts have so far surpassed a staggering $50 million.
CELEBRITIES RALLY AROUND AUSTRALIA
Elton John also joined a long list of local and international celebrities rallying around fire-ravaged communities in Australia.
The British legend pledged $1 million to fire relief efforts, paying tribute to the thousands of firefighters at the front lines of the “apocalyptic absolute disaster.”
“To see what is happening here breaks my heart … and I love Australia so much … and to those who have lost their homes I want to say God bless, I hope your lives will be repaired soon,” the star said on stage in Sydney.
Aussie pop starlet Kylie Minogue pledged $500,000 to charities including Red Cross Australia.
The 51-year-old shared news of her donation on Instagram alongside a photo of herself taken during a visit to Australia in 2019.
Last year I had the incredible opportunity of visiting some of the many beautiful places in my homeland for the first time.
— Kylie Minogue (@kylieminogue) January 6, 2020
Returning home to such devastation throughout much of the country is heartbreaking. pic.twitter.com/5RWYZDQyBg
Thor star Chris Hemsworth and his wife Elsa Pataky have pledged $1 million towards bushfire relief.
“Hi everyone. Like you, I want to support the fight against the bushfires here in Australia,” he wrote.
“My family and I are contributing a million dollars. Hopefully you guys can chip in too. Every penny counts so whatever you can muster up is greatly appreciated.”
Billionaire James Packer and his family pledged to do “his bit” by donating $5 million to the people and animals devastated on both sides of the continent.
The donation split between the Packer family foundation and Crown Resort Foundation will be fast tracked for immediate relief and be paid this week; in November Mr Packer pledged $1 million over five years to the NSW Rural Fire Service but this too will be made available this week.
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Aussie superstar Nicole Kidman was overcome with emotion while attending a pre-Golden Globes brunch in Los Angeles and said she and husband Keith Urban donated $500,000 to the Rural Fire Service amid the devastating bushfire crisis.
“We’re devastated and Keith and I are pledging $500,000 to all of the rural services that are fighting the fires right now,” she told reporters.
“We’re devastated for Australia.”
American singer Pink, who regularly sells out huge concerts in Australia, said she was “totally devastated” by the fire season and has committed a $500,000 donation to the RFS.
Talk-show host Ellen DeGeneres did not disclose the amount she and Australian wife Portia de Rossi donated, but shared she had made contributions to NSW RFS, WIRES and the Australian Red Cross.
“It’s almost impossible to understand the size and destruction of the fires in Australia. Here are three organisations I’ve already donated to. I hope you’ll donate, too,” the star tweeted.
DeGeneres also launch a GoFundMe campaign on her show with the aim of raising a further $5 million from donations.
Hollywood actress Rebel Wilson auctioned a lunch at her Sydney home and raised $100,000 towards the bushfire victims and firefighters.
Many of Australia’s sporting heroes have pledged to donate to the Australian bushfire appeal.
Tennis stars Nick Kyrgios and Sam Stosur have pledged $200 for every ace they hit this summer.
Teammates Alex de Minaur and Sam Stosur followed suit, also committing to the initiative.
And international stars Maria Sharapova and Novak Djokovich also committed $50,000 between them.
However, French Open champion Ash Barty has arguably offered the most generous donation of all.
Soon after, cricketers Chris Lynn, D’Arcy Short and Glenn Maxwell promised to donate $250 for every six they struck in the Big Bash League.
World No. 1 Barty will donate her entire prize money from the Brisbane International to the Red Cross Fire Appeal.
Prince Charles has delivered a raw and emotional video message to the Australian public as our devastating bushfire crisis rages on.
The future King of England was sombre as he admitted it was a “hopelessly inadequate way” of sending his support Down Under but explained he and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, “are thinking of you so very much at such an incredibly difficult time and in such impossible and terrifying circumstances”.
His speech ended with a link to the Red Cross website, urging people to donate.
See his video message below.
